Women’s Basketball Coach Resigns From BU

April 23, 2014

Kelly Greenberg coached the Terriers for the last 10 seasons. (Fred Beckham/AP)

ByArt Jahnke, BU Today

BOSTON BU women’s basketball head coach Kelly Greenberg has informed University administrators that she is stepping down, effective immediately. This announcement comes in the wake of the University’s decision to convene a panel charged with exploring allegations that she mistreated players and that her coaching style drove at least four players to quit the team during the past year. Greenberg just finished her 10th season as head coach.

Kelly Greenberg coached the Terriers for the last 10 seasons. (Fred Beckham/AP)

Todd Klipp, senior vice president, senior counsel, and secretary of the Board of Trustees, says that although the review panel found that many of the complaints raised by the four players could not be substantiated, “a compelling case was made, based on interviews with the team as a whole, that the manner in which Coach Greenberg interacted with many of her players was incompatible with the expectations and standards for University employees, including our coaches.” Klipp adds that “when we shared these conclusions with Coach Greenberg, she determined that it would not be possible for her to continue coaching at Boston University.”

“I have determined that it is in the best interest of the University, the women’s basketball program, and myself for me to resign my position as head women’s basketball coach,” says Greenberg. “I do not agree with some of the findings of the review panel regarding my coaching style, which was intended to produce well-rounded athletes and a winning team. However, given all that has transpired, I do not believe that it will be possible for me to continue as an effective coach at Boston University.”

Klipp says he is grateful that the panel, whose members were Elizabeth Loizeaux, associate provost for undergraduate affairs, Sara Brown, a Sargent College clinical associate professor and director of athletic training programs, and Lawrence Elswit, BU associate general counsel, conducted a comprehensive, thoughtful, and unbiased review.

The University will undertake a national search to replace Greenberg, who came to BU from the University of Pennsylvania, where she led the Quakers to two Ivy League titles.